repentance

The Rooster’s Crow

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:72 ESV

While my wife and I were staying in a little farm town in Brazil we wondered if their roosters ever sleep! All through the night, the vira lata (stray dogs) and roosters seemed to be holding animal choir practice. Though at the time we thought it was funny, it also made me think of Peter and a Palestinian rooster long ago. Peter had sworn he would be faithful to death for Jesus, but Jesus knew better. He knew that Peter would fail, and loved him anyway. “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me.” Jesus had told him. But Peter couldn’t hear because He had convinced himself that he would follow no matter what. But Jesus knew Peter’s heart and He knows about ours as well.

It’s funny how we think of the roosters crowing when the sun comes up, but he actually stays awake all night watching out over his hens and alerting them, every time he hears a noise. While we were laughing about the animal choir, the rooster was just saying to his little flock, “Time to wake up! There is danger close by!” God is still sending roosters to remind us that we need to pray. The good news is that He will always hear, forgive and restore. Just like Peter, when he began to weep Jesus will turn, but not to condemn. He turns to let us know He is watching and is ready to forgive and restore. Is there a rooster crowing in your life? It’s time to wake up and pray!

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The Doctor is In

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The prodigal’s return reunited him not only with his father but also with his brother. In the same way as we turn our hearts to seek God’s grace as a nation there will be a restoration of relationships both with God and each other. This cross always unites God’s people from every race, because we all have the same father. It heals division because religion separates but true relationship with Jesus Christ restores. The cross heals but until we recognize how desperately sick with materialism and selfishness we have become we will never get past the waiting room of God’s spiritual health clinic. The doctor is in. He is waiting for us. The question is will we come to Him today.

High Places

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God the Lord is my strength, He makes my feet like the deer’s, He makes me tread on my high places. Habakkuk 3:19 ESV

Maybe you’ve never read the book of Habakkuk or know only this final verse from a wall plaque you saw somewhere. But when life seems stressed and uncertain facing the Corona virus stalking our streets and violence threatening our society then the previous 3 chapters of this prophecy start to make sense.

In Habakkuk’s day his nation had fallen so far away from God that many were even sacrificing their children to the God Moloch in hopes of personal prosperity. There was political corruption, widespread looting and religious hypocrisy at the highest level. But these were the least of the problems that the prophet faced. On top of everything else God had allowed the merciless armies of Babylon victory after victory as they were battling against the final remnants of his nation’s defenses. A quick look at the previous 3 chapters is like the darkness of a horror film. There seemed no hope in Habakkuk’s mind as he begins writing his lament. But as Habakkuk cries out in prayer detailing his fears confusion and frustration, God answers. The Lord assures the prophet and us that no matter how bleak things appear that God has not forgotten His people or His promises. He lets us know that one day the wicked rulers of Babylon will themselves be overthrown. One day the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God. But just as the situation is with us today; that victory might be a long time coming. So what about now? What about the mountain we have to climb right in front of us?

We can be encouraged that even in our darkest most dangerous situation God will be with us. Jesus not only promises to walk by our side in our suffering, He knows the depth of our fears because He faced them Himself on the cross. He suffered willing, innocently and was forsaken on His high place called Calvary. There He purchased not only our salvation but also our victory so we would not face our own high places alone!